I really liked it, but I think the 2nd season is when it will hit its stride. The music is phenomenal. Some of the stories are a little flat but if you liked the way The Wire was paced, you will like this.

downloaded them as they aired, I loved it to pieces. it's vivid and engrossing and the cast are all superb and the Mardi Gras episode in particular stands out as the most fun piece of television I've seen in years.